[Greens-Media] Greens say Labor getting out of touch on tax

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Greens say Labor getting out of touch on tax 

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown says Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner's rejection of the Australia Institute's proposal for a 'fat cat tax' after zero public debate shows Labor has lost its mission to help close the widening gap between rich and poor.

"This modest proposal to add a 5% tax to incomes of more than $1 million, one week after Prime Minister Rudd condemned the excess of capitalist 'greed', shows a Labor government too deferential to the tiny minority of multimillionaire executives," Senator Brown said.

Senator Brown has written to Treasurer Swan asking him to consider the proposal for next year's budget.

"Bill Clinton put a new tax on high-income earners when he became president and the move was 80% popular. I think Lindsay Tanner is out of touch with mainstream Australia," Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603


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Ebony Bennett
Media Advisor 
Senator Bob Brown | Leader of the Australian Greens 
e: ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au 
m: 0409 164 603 | p: (02) 6277 3170 | f: (02) 6277 3185
w: www.bobbrown.org.au <http://www.bobbrown.org.au/>   <http://www.greens.org.au>